Housing NZ tenant ‘trapped’ by fallen tree for two days
A terminally ill Housing New Zealand tenant spent more than 48 hours ‘‘trapped’’ inside his Invercargill house when a tree crashed onto his property and blocked access to it.
The alder tree toppled in strong winds on Thursday and it took a good samaritan neighbour to eventually cut a small gap in the large tree trunk that was fencing Frank Castle in.
Castle, 77, who has terminal cancer, said: ‘‘The tree came crashing down and effectively trapped me in and emergency workers out.’’
He could get out his front door but not much further. Phone calls to Housing NZ resulted in a contractor being sent out on Thursday night but the ‘‘man and his chainsaw’’ left without clearing the path, Castle said.
‘‘It was completely dark and he said it was too dangerous for any chainsawing. He promised someone would head out early the next morning.’’
Friday passed with no sign or sound of a chainsaw.
Castle said he made further calls to Housing NZ. ‘‘I was told they would cut me free in 10 to 14 days. I said, hang on a minute . . .’’
Castle said when he told the person at Housing NZ of his situation ‘‘they changed their tune’’ and assured him someone would be out as soon as possible.
‘‘Soon as possible hasn’t happened yet from a Housing New Zealand point of view,’’ Castle said yesterday morning. ‘‘I get the impression they think if they ignore me I’ll go away. Maybe they are hoping the tree will straighten itself up again.’’
Saturday rolled around and Castle said he would have had to climb the tree still in his yard to get his mail.
He was back on the phone to Housing NZ and this time he was told repeatedly ‘‘we are sorry but there is nothing we can do today’’.
On Saturday afternoon, Castle’s neighbour rounded up a mate with a chainsaw and they cut a gap in the thick trunk.
‘‘It took one bloke with one chainsaw 30 minutes to clear a path and give me peace of mind,’’ he said.
Housing NZ blamed a ‘‘breakdown in communication’’.
Area manager Kate Milton said the breakdown meant the Housing NZ contractor did not conduct a follow-up visit to the site as planned.
‘‘We acknowledge this has caused undue inconvenience and distress for the tenant,’’ she said. ‘‘Housing New Zealand want to sincerely apologise to the tenant.’’
The tree was from a privately owned neighbouring property, she said.
‘‘We understand the neighbour has already taken steps to remove the damaged tree.’’
Victim of gales: